With the dramatic swing to working-from-home arrangements and new work technologies because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Comcare "emerging evidence alert" has highlighted new research on the connection between technology acceptance, engagement and wellbeing.
A tribunal has rejected an employer's claim that it isn't liable for a worker's psych injury because its inaction on her bullying complaint was reasonable administrative action. The tribunal identified a string of flaws in the employer's response to the complaint.
A worker whose psychological injury became incapacitating after her employer refused to reclassify her sick leave has been given another chance to seek compensation, in a full Federal Court case examining the application of administrative action exclusions.
The ACTU has demanded that the states and territories amend their WHS laws to mandate workplace social distancing rules and other controls before COVID-19 restrictions are eased. Meanwhile, employers and unions have agreed to amend a modern award with safety provisions to help businesses survive the pandemic, and the Federal Government has released draft laws to codify privacy protections around its COVIDSafe app.
> SWA launches COVID-19 hub and home setup guide; > More work-related COVID-19 guides and fatality alerts issued; and > HSEQ manager appointed boss of NT WorkSafe.
The Federal Court has overturned a decision awarding a worker compensation for pain symptoms that arose after just one week into a new role, in a case examining the meanings of ailment and aggravation.
In a case highlighting the potential long-term impact of seemingly innocuous office injuries, a tribunal has found that medical records showing a worker's work injuries were asymptomatic when he was being treated for other ailments doesn't mean his work injuries have resolved.
A WHS defendant's bid to cross-examine an employee of a co-accused company, at a coronial inquest, was not barred by laws prohibiting interference with the administration of criminal justice, the High Court has ruled in a high-profile case involving the hypothermia death of an Antarctic pilot.
> Workers from four sectors targeted in Vic's COVID-19 blitz; > Coronavirus affecting "tolerance to risk", warns NSW regulator; and > SWA and WA issue new COVID-19 guides and warnings.
The fact that a psychologically injured worker used her treatment sessions to "vent" about her day-to-day life stressors, rather than learn self-management skills, did not diminish the link between her condition and a 2004 work incident, the Federal Court has found.
